White Specks in Stool

White specks in the stool can be caused by a large number of different things. Some are more serious than others. The specks could just be small bits of undigested food, or caused by certain medications.

Our stool can tell us a lot about our overall health. It’s recommended to pay attention to any changes in your bowel habits, including white specks you haven’t noticed before. These white specks can alert us to internal infections and other conditions we may not have known about until the condition was much more advanced.

Different symptoms may accompany white specks in the stool, depending on the cause. White specks themselves may range from a few tiny specks to larger ones. Take note of both the size and shape of the white specks.

White specks in the stool will be different from stools that are completely white or overall very pale. Entirely white or pale stools indicate other health conditions, like problems within the biliary system, which includes the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.

If you experience any of the following, seek emergency medical attention:

There are a number of different causes of white specks in the stool, all of which range in severity.

Undigested food

A common source of white specks in the stool is undigested food. Sometimes foods that are difficult to digest — like quinoa, nuts, seeds, high-fiber vegetables, and corn — can actually move through the digestive tract without fully digesting. This can cause small white flecks in the stool.

This is likely to be the case if you aren’t experiencing any other symptoms such as diarrhea or abdominal pain.

Malabsorption

Malabsorption, which may come as a result of undigested food in certain individuals, can also cause white specks in the stool. Severe malabsorption may cause stools to become bulkier and paler throughout due to a higher fat content. It may be caused by:

liver disease

pancreatic insufficiency

intestinal inflammation

Other symptoms of malabsorption may include:

diarrhea

abdominal pain

weight loss

fatigue

Celiac disease

Celiac disease — an autoimmune disease characterized by an abnormal immune response to the protein gluten — can cause severe inflammation in the digestive system that reduces the intestines’ ability to absorb nutrients properly. This can lead to significant nutrient malabsorption. Symptoms may include:

diarrhea

weight loss

bloating

fatigue

abdominal pain

Medications

Certain medications can lead to white flecks in the stool, especially those that come in capsule form. Some people are unable to properly digest certain capsule medications. In this case, you may see small white balls in the stool.

Let your doctor know. They can decide if they need to switch your medication. You should also tell your doctor if you experience symptoms like fever, nausea, or abdominal pain.

Parasites

It is possible for different types of parasites to cause white flecks in the stool. Tapeworm segments will appear as large, white, flat patches on the stool. They’ll often be about the size of a postage stamp. Symptoms may include:

nausea

weakness

diarrhea

abdominal pain

weight loss

fatigue

Pinworms are white in color and lay eggs near the anus. They’re very small, but can also be seen on the stool. Symptoms include strong itching, rash, and discomfort in the anal area. In severe infestations, the individual may also experience abdominal pain.

Fungal infections

Small clumps of white matter found on the stool could also be caused by fungal infections like Candidayeast infections. You’re more likely to experience this if you’ve had a chronic problem with Candida infections, or are experiencing an illness or treatment that weakens the immune system, such as AIDS or chemotherapy.

When you tell your doctor about the white specks in your stool, they’ll ask you about other symptoms that you may be experiencing, such as constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or fatigue. They may also order a series of tests depending on what they suspect the cause to be.

A stool test will almost certainly be included. For this test, you’ll bring a sample of stool into the lab so a technician can examine it for blood, fungus, parasites, and other abnormalities.

Other tests the doctor may order include:

Complete blood count (CBC) panel. A phlebotomist will draw blood from your arm and test it to make sure that all your blood counts look good. This test can help detect anemia. It can also indicate a possible infection.

Blood test and upper endoscopy. These tests will check for celiac disease. A biopsy from the small intestine is needed to confirm a celiac diagnosis.

Ultrasound or CT scan. These imaging tests can evaluate the health of your gallbladder and liver by providing images of them.

Treatment will depend entirely on the underlying cause of the white specks in the stool.

Undigested food can be treated with a small change in diet. You should see changes in several days.

The underlying cause of malabsorption will need to be treated before it can be resolved. For celiac disease, this involves switching to an entirely gluten-free diet. Even one “cheat meal” can cause severe inflammation in the intestines.

If issues with the liver, pancreas, or gallbladder are involved, treatment will resolve around improving their function.

If medications are causing the white specks to form, your doctor may be able to switch you to a different medication, or a different form of the same medication. For example, instead of taking an oral supplement, they may be able to give you the same dose in

liquid form, an injectable, or a sublingual medication. Sublingual medications dissolve under the tongue.

Parasites can be treated with an oral medication designed to clear them completely from your system. You’ll also need to clean the entire house. To get rid of parasites from your home:

Use hot water to wash all bedding, towels, and clothes. Dry them on high heat in the dryer.

Often, white specks in the stool isn’t cause for concern. They’re most commonly caused by undigested food, which can be resolved in several days with a change in diet.

Make sure you see your doctor for any stool changes — even if they seem minor — so that you can make sure you and your digestive tract are fully healthy. If needed, your doctor will help you find the treatment that’s right for you.